Former Lamborghini Stylist Luc Donckerwolke To Head Bentley Design

Luc Donckerwolke, the man credited with the designs of the Murcielago and Gallardo supercars from Lamborghini, as well as the original Audi A2 mini, will soon be setting up shop in Crewe, England, where he’ll be heading the design team at Bentley. He will be replacing Dirk van Braeckel, who will be joining a central design team overseeing all design functions at the Volkswagen Group.

Donckerwolke, who is currently the head of advanced design for Volkswagen, started his design career with Peugeot in 1990 before moving to Audi just two years later. From here he moved to several brands now part of the Volkswagen Group including Skoda, Seat and Lamborghini.

His appointment is believed to be part of a major shakeup at Bentley that will see the British brand expand its offerings by entering new segments. The brand is already readying a new SUV and at the upcoming Paris Auto Show we’ll be treated with a new performance-oriented concept. Additionally, today’s announcement also comes just months after Bentley appointed American designer David Hilton as its new head of exterior design.

Reaffirming this are comments made by Walter de Silva, head of design for the entire Volkswagen Group. In a statement, he said, “Luc Donckerwolke brings a wealth of design talent to Bentley. His extensive experience makes him the ideal person to take forward Bentley’s future design language, at a time when the company has significant plans for new models.”